Will Your Child's Brachial Plexus Injury Benefit from Surgery?

Posted on April 1, 2009 by David Austin

Not necessarily — a recent review of medical literature suggests that some infants born with an obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI) fall in a “gray zone,” where it’s not clear whether surgery is beneficial. According to the researchers, approximately half of children they evaluated who fell within this gray zone fully recovered without surgery.
 

The study authors developed guidelines for surgical intervention for children in the so-called gray zone. “The guideline presented in this paper provides another framework for decision-making that includes other areas in addition to biceps recovery or elbow function,” the researchers concluded.
 

In particular, the guidelines take into consideration shoulder abduction and wrist extension scores based on the Active Movement Scale.
 

The study is published in the current issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics and was conducted researchers at the McMaster Children’s Hospital in Ontario, Canada.


 

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Book Offers Tips on Pediatric Surgery for Parents

Posted on December 10, 2008 by David Austin

Treatment options for children with cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy and similar physical disabilities may include surgery. However, the decision to put your child through surgery can be a stressful one fraught with uncertainty, and this is especially true if the surgery involves a new technique.

Many parents are drawn to innovative procedures, particularly if those procedures offer new hope.
Still, there are a number of important considerations for parents. Understanding this, Dr. Armen Ketchedjian has written a book entitled Will it Hurt? A Parent’s Practical Guide to Children’s Surgery.

In his book, Dr. Ketchedjian offers some helpful tips and guidelines for parents who are considering a new surgical procedure for their child, including:
 

  • Research the new procedure in credible medical journals
  • Talk to the parents of children who have previously undergone the procedure
  • Join a support group related to your child’s condition
  • Visit the facility prior to surgery


“The more parents know, the better off they’ll be. New technologies and procedures are being developed all the time, so parents have a lot to learn in a short amount of time following a child’s injury,” he said.


 

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Mayo Clinic on Cutting Edge of Erb's Palsy Treatment

Posted on November 3, 2008 by David Austin

Thousands of babies are born each year with Erb’s palsy, typically as a result of damage during birth to the network of nerves known as the brachial plexus. About 10 percent of babies with Erb’s palsy require treatment, which may include surgery.

 

Surgical procedures for treating Erb’s palsy in infants and small children are highly specialized and extremely delicate, and parents may not know where to turn to get the best treatment for their child.

 

The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is one of the leading research institutions and treatment centers in the United States for injuries of the brachial plexus such as Erb’s palsy. Surgeons there perform hundreds of specialized procedures each year, using cutting edge surgical techniques to repair nerve damage in babies and children with the condition.

 

Parents can visit the Mayo Clinic website to read patient stories, to schedule an appointment or to find out more about current clinical trials.


 

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